The command and cursor sounds are based more on my personal take on magic and fantasy. As for the futuristic areas, I relied on existing, cutting-edge technology to imagine sounds of the near future. Yajima: As I mentioned during the GDC 2010 session, my goal was to create “real” sounds based on physics, but with a very expansive feel. Were you mainly working on creating futuristic, foreign sounds, or did you also try to go for organic sounds in some of the more natural settings in the game? OSV: The world of Final Fantasy XIII is definitely unique, so I’m wondering what your approach was to the sound design. Toriyama-san would check the game and let me know if he felt anything was out of place, and I’d make adjustments based on his comments. Yajima: I was the decision-maker on matters pertaining to sound effects and staging for the most part. OSV: What were your interactions with Motomu Toriyama throughout the game creation process? Was he responsible for approving all the final sound effects for the game as well? We debated about sound balance and exchanged thoughts on staging, working together to produce the best possible results. Yajima: Our work areas are very close, so Hamauzu-san and I held weekly meetings. Did you have any interactions with Masashi Hamauzu while working on Final Fantasy XIII, and did the two of you work together to create a cohesive sound for the game? OSV: We recently spoke with Final Fantasy XIII Director and Scenario Writer Motomu Toriyama, and he noted that he was responsible for approving music, while you were responsible mainly for sound design. I officially joined the team when Toriyama-san approached me with a formal invitation, as it seemed like it would be a lot of fun. Yajima: I had been involved in planning the sound system for the Crystal Tools engine, and the sound design for FINAL FANTASY XIII was a natural extension of my work on the project.

OSV: How were you approached to take on this role? I know Square Enix works on a large number of titles at any given time, and with such a large sound department, how were you selected among the team to handle Final Fantasy XIII? I was responsible for the final sound and balance of the BGM, sound effects and voice. Yajima: I did anything and everything related to sound, including the sound system layout, playing out the image concepts for sound effects and making the appropriate decisions, sound effect approvals, managing the development schedule and staffing, balance checks and debugging, etc. Can you start by telling us what your role on Final Fantasy XIII involved as the title’s sound director? It’s great to get the chance to speak with you.

Final fantasy sound effects pack